I keep a little hood over my web cam when it isn't in use, and have marginal smart stuff (the Echo Dot) here. I didn't setup Alexa to work on my phone (it came equipped, I got it at a great discount because it was advertised as an Alexa phone, but you don't have to enable it.) Alexa via the Dots can play music and turn on and off one smart bulb in the kitchen. And I'm sure it does listen in, though I can and often do turn it off (there is a button on the top). I'm sure it mostly hears "Cookie, no!" and "Pepper, move!" as I wade through the dog scrum during the day.